Miriam E. Williams, 91, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away Sunday, April 3, 2011, in Wakefield.
The former Miriam Niemi was born May 24, 1919, in Wakefield, daughter of the late John and Lydia (Maki) Niemi. She graduated from Wakefield High School in 1937.
On Oct. 9, 1940, Miriam was united in marriage with Frederick Webb Williams in Wakefield. He preceded her in death on Feb. 20, 1991.
She held several jobs in the area and retired from the Michigan Department of Health in 1981. In later years, Miriam worked part-time at Kmart in Ironwood as a greeter.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Wakefield and the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 in Wakefield.
Miriam is survived by two sons, Tim (Karen), Oregon, Wis., and Roy (Karen), South Range, Wis.; two foster children, Jim (Rita) Hanson, Loganville, Ga., and Elaine (Tom) Bolen, Albion, Maine; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Mary Jean Williams, Wakefield, and Carol Hudalla, St. Paul, Minn.; her sister-in-law, Margaret Running, Wakefield; numerous nieces and nephews; and other loving relatives and friends.
Besides her parents and husband, Miriam was preceded in death by two sons, Frederick (Jack), in 1976, and Gary, in 2000; two grandsons, Ross, in 1985, and Dale, in 1995; two brothers, Larry (Chi Chi) and Bill; and three sisters, Helvi, Mildred and Helen.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, April 16, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Lakeside Memorial Chapel, where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. The Rev. Ted Trudgeon, pastor of the United Methodist Church in Wakefield, will officiate. The ladies auxiliary will hold a memorial for Miriam prior to the service.
Interment will take place in the spring at Lakeside Cemetery.
Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family with the arrangements.